Ban considered on organic food brought in by air

Food flown into the UK could be stripped of its organic label if the Soil Association goes ahead with controversial plans to deal with major loopholes in its rulebook. The organisation - responsible for giving organic status to food sold in Britain - is considering the introduction of restrictions, or even a ban, on produce imported by air.

A ban, which would have widespread consequences for shoppers, is being considered because senior Soil Association executives have become increasingly worried that they are encouraging carbon-emitting flights into Britain.

The problem stems from the public's desire to consume more and more organic crops and meat. Demand for organic food now greatly outstrips UK farmers' ability to supply it. Supermarkets imported 34 per cent of all the organic food they sold in 2005, most of it by air.

But increases in the numbers of flights in and out of Britain are also linked to environmental worries because air transport is considered to be a major cause of greenhouse warming. For the Soil Association, which claims it has impeccable green credentials, this link is embarrassing. Hence its decision to take a new look at the rules it uses to rate food organic or not.

Last night the Soil Association, which certifies organic producers in Britain and around 30 other countries, said the issue was 'complex' but acknowledged that it could affect farmers' livelihoods.

However, Robin Maynard, the association's campaigns director, said the introduction of a partial or even an outright ban was only one option it was considering. 'There are a lot of people to talk to and we have to make sure we act on all views before we make a decision,' he said. 'It could have a very significant effect on some people's businesses and livelihoods.'

The groups being consulted include supermarkets, registered organic producers in the UK and overseas, and groups such as Oxfam, he added.

Other suggestions being considered by the Soil Association include plans to require that food be labelled with the air miles it has travelled or an insistence that flights be carbon offset. The Soil Association said its surveys have found a significant increase over the past five years in the proportion of organic food produced in the UK.